Chamber: let voters decide

EATON — Despite a recent county commission decision not to do so, the Preble County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors announced last week their support of putting a tax levy for the 9-1-1 dispatch consolidation on the November ballot.

According to Chamber Director Matt Owen, at the Chamber’s regular board meeting on Tuesday, July 28, the board of directors unanimously voted in support of seeing the issue go before the voters of Preble County.

“The chamber has reviewed the proposed 9-1-1 dispatch consolidation, and encourage the commissioners to place it on the November 2015 ballot for the citizens to vote on,” said Dave Weber, Board Chair of the Preble County Chamber of Commerce.

“We are disappointed that the commissioners are denying the citizens of Preble County the opportunity to vote on this important issue,” he said.

In June, according to Owen, Sheriff Mike Simpson presented the PC Chamber Board of Directors a review of the proposed 9-1-1 dispatch merger. The board of directors then discussed the proposal and made an official motion at their July board meeting.

“Our members, businesses and their employees rely on local police, fire and EMS services each and every day,” said Weber.

“We believe they deserve the best possible emergency services for their employees and their family members.”

The Preble County Chamber of Commerce has over 250 members who employ nearly 3,000 employees across the county.